Transfer tool

ABSTRACT

A transfer tool is provided with a grip member which can be gripped so that its axis is perpendicular to a transfer target surface or is inclined toward a direction of movement during transfer, a rotor which is held in the grip member and is able to rotate around the axis, and a transfer head which is held on the rotor with a transfer end deviated from the axis in a direction opposite to the direction of movement during transfer. The transfer tool is configured so that the transfer head can flexibly track the transfer target surface.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to a transfer tool to apply a transfer substance.

BACKGROUND ART

Conventionally, transfer tools including a body case and a refill which has a transfer head and is put in a rotatable manner inside the body case are known as ones of this kind. The refill is held in the body case such that the transfer head deviates from the axis of the body case in a direction of movement during transfer (See Patent document 1, for example).

However, there is a malfunction that the transfer head of such transfer tools cannot rotate adequately and track a transfer target surface flexibly when applying a transfer substance to the transfer target surface like drawing a curved line for example.

RELATED ART DOCUMENTS Patent Documents

-   Patent document 1: Japanese Unexamined Patent Application     Publication No. 2000-343890.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Problems to be Solved by the Invention

The present invention has paid attention to the above fact, it is an object of the present invention to provide a transfer tool with a transfer head which is able to track a transfer target surface flexibly.

Means of Solving the Problems

That is, a transfer tool according to the present invention has constitution described below.

The transfer tool described in claim 1 includes a grip member which is able to be gripped so that its axis is perpendicular to a transfer target surface or is inclined toward a direction of movement during transfer, a rotor which is held in the grip member and is able to rotate around the axis, and a transfer head which is held on the rotor in a state where a transfer end deviates from the axis in a direction opposite to the direction of movement during transfer.

The transfer tool described in claim 2 is the one according to claim 1 wherein the grip member is a body case which is formed into a cylindrical shape, the rotor is a refill main body which has a feeding reel to feed a transfer tape to the transfer head and a winding reel to wind up the transfer tape through the transfer head, the refill main body and the transfer head constitutes an interchangeable refill which is accommodated in the body case.

The transfer tool described in claim 3 is the one according to claim 2 wherein the refill main body has a refill base, the feeding reel and the winding reel which are held on the refill base, and an interlocking mechanism to interlock rotation of the winding reel with rotation of the feeding reel accompanied by moving of the transfer tape.

The transfer tool described in claim 4 is the one according to claim 3 wherein the refill base has an interlocking-mechanism holding part to hold the interlocking mechanism in a position which deviates from the axis toward one side, and a weight balancing part placed in a position which deviates from the axis toward the other side with respect to the interlocking-mechanism holding part.

The transfer tool described in claim 5 is the one according to claim 2, 3 or 4 further having a refill holding mechanism which is able to be selectably in a hold state where the refill is held in a freely rotatable manner inside the body case, and a release state where it is allowed for the refill to be removed from the body case.

The transfer tool described in claim 6 is the one according to claim 5 wherein the refill holding mechanism has a held part which is formed protruding on the refill, and a holding part which is formed on one side end part of the body case to hold the held part elastically.

The transfer tool described in claim 7 is the one according to claim 5 or 6 wherein the refill holding mechanism has an operation body to obtain a release from the hold state.

The transfer tool described in claim 8 is the one according to claim 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 or 7 wherein the transfer head has the transfer end to press a transfer tape against the transfer target surface, and a bilateral supporting part to support both sides of the transfer end, the bilateral supporting part is formed such that the transfer end is able to press the transfer tape against the transfer target surface when the axis of the grip member is perpendicular to the transfer target surface or is inclined toward the direction of movement during transfer.

The transfer tool described in claim 9 is the one according to claim 8 wherein the transfer end is a transfer roll which is supported by bilateral supporting part in a rotatable manner.

The transfer tool described in claim 10 is the one according to claim 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8 or 9 wherein the grip member is a body case having an opening part on a top thereof, the transfer tool comprises a refill constituted such that the transfer head is provided on a top of a refill main body being the rotor and the refill main body is accommodated in the body case through the opening part, and a refill holding mechanism to hold the refill detachably inside the body case.

Effects of the Invention

According to the present invention, a transfer tool with a transfer head which is able to track a transfer target surface flexibly can be provided.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing the embodiment.

FIG. 3 is a side view showing a situation of transferring in the embodiment.

FIG. 4 is a rear view showing the embodiment.

FIG. 5 is a cross section taken along the line A-A in FIG. 3.

FIG. 6 is a front view showing a body case in the embodiment.

FIG. 7 is a front view showing a operation body in the embodiment.

FIG. 8 is a approximate cross section showing the embodiment in a side view.

FIG. 9 is a approximate cross section showing the embodiment in a side view.

MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

Described below is one embodiment of the present invention with reference to FIGS. 1 to 9.

In this embodiment, the present invention is applied to a transfer tool T for transferring a glue g, which is an adhesive, to a transfer target surface S. The transfer tool T can transfer the glue g onto the transfer target surface S, for example, a paper. The transfer tool T contributes to convenience for affixing works and so on.

The transfer tool T includes a body case 1 being a grip member which is able to be gripped so that its axis j is perpendicular to the transfer target surface S or is inclined toward a direction of movement during transfer, a refill main body 21 being a rotor which is held in the body case 1 and is able to rotate around the axis j, and a transfer head 22 which is held on the refill main body 21 in a state where a transfer roll 221 being a transfer end deviates in a direction opposite to the direction of movement during transfer. The body case 1 is formed into a cylindrical shape. The refill main body 21 has a feeding reel m to feed a transfer tape p to the transfer head 22, and a winding reel n to wind up the transfer tape p through the transfer head 22. And, the refill main body 21 and the transfer head 22 constitutes an interchangeable refill 2 which is accommodated in the body case 1.

The transfer tool T has a refill holding mechanism 3 to hold the refill 2 detachably in the body case 1. The refill holding mechanism 3 has possible states implying a hold state (H) where the refill main body 21 being a component of the refill 2 is held in a freely rotatable manner inside the body case 1 and a release state (R) where it is allowed for the refill 2 to be removed from the body case 1. Also, the transfer tool T has an opening part h through which the refill 2 is inserted and extracted on a top of the body case 1, and a cap 4 to blockade the opening part h. The cap 4 is detachable from the body case 1. Specifically, the cap 4 having a cylindrical shape with a closed front end is able to be attached to the body case 1 having a bottomed cylindrical shape so that an alien substance is prevented from adhering to the glue g on the transfer tape p when not in use or the like and the transfer tape p is prevented from adhering to a surrounding object or the like erroneously. Hence, the transfer tool T gives an appearance of a column when the cap 4 is mounted on the body case 1.

The transfer tool T will be described in detail.

The body case 1 has the bottomed cylindrical shape with the opening part h on the top thereof and a rear wall 12 on the bottom side thereof. The body case 1 includes a case main body 11 like a cylinder and the rear wall 12 provided on a rear end of the case main body 11 to constitute a bottom part of the cylinder. The body case 1 is integrally molded of resin.

The case main body 11 having the cylindrical shape is provided with a cap attachment part 111 on the top side thereof to support the detachable cap 4.

The rear wall 12 has a peripheral wall part 121 which is formed into an annular shape continuous with a rear end edge of the case main body 11 in a rear view, and a recess part k provided inside the peripheral wall part 121. The recess part k is dented inward from the peripheral wall part 121. The recess part k contains a peripheral wall k1 which has a cylindrical shape extending toward an internal space side or frontward from an inner edge of the peripheral wall part 121, and a bottom wall k2 provided continuously with an end edge of the peripheral wall k1. The bottom wall k2 has a holding part k22 in a center area thereof to hold a held part b5 protruding from a rear end part of the refill main body 21, and a bottom plate part k21 to unite a base end of the holding part k22 with the peripheral wall k1. The holding part k22 is formed into an approximately tubal shape by arranging a plurality of projected pieces k221 annularly. The holding part k22 has a protruding part k22 a on a top end thereof which protrudes inside. A plurality of slits s1 are intermittently formed in the axial direction on the holding part k22 so that the holding part k22 is able to hold the held part b5 elastically from the outside. The slits s1 are formed continuously between the holding part k22 and the bottom plate part k21. The holding part k22 functions as a bearing to support the refill 2 in a rotatable manner. The bottom plate part k21 is provided with insertion holes k21 a at four positions on its periphery. Stopper parts e3 of an operation body e described below are inserted into the insertion holes k21 a. The operation body e constituting the refill holding mechanism 3 is placed in the recess part k so that the operation body e is able to move between a press position (P) and a non-press position (N).

The operation body e plays a role of an operation button for taking the refill 2 out from the body case 1. The operation body e contains a push portion e1 to receive pressing operation force from the outside, a projection e2 which is projected frontward from the push portion e1 as a pressing element to press the held part b5 provided on the refill 2, and the stopper parts e3 which are projected frontward from the push portion e1. Each of the stopper parts e3 has a pawl e31 on the top end thereof. The operation body e is integrally molded of resin.

The push portion e1 is a circular plate and put into the recess part k formed on the rear wall 12. The push portion e1 is set so as to be located more inside of the body case 1 than the peripheral wall part 121 of the rear wall 12 in a state of lying in a non-press position (N). In addition, the push portion e1 is partly exposed out of a part of the rear wall 12 in a rear view. Specifically, the area of the push portion e1 is set to be narrower than the rear wall 12 in the rear view, the push portion e1 taking the non-press position (N) is set so as to be located more inside of the body case 1 than the outer face of the peripheral wall part 121 of the rear wall 12 in a side view. Hence, it becomes difficult for a user to access the push portion e1 under ordinary usage. The projection e2 is projected from the approximately central part of the push portion e1 toward the refill 2. The projection e2 is formed into an approximate cross shape in a front view. The stopper parts e3 are projected from the periphery of the push portion e1 inward or frontward. Each of the stopper parts e3 has the pawl e31 protruding outward, that is, toward the case main body 11 on the top end part thereof. Engaging the pawls e31 with the edge parts around the insertion holes k21 a in the bottom wall k2 prevents the operation body e from coming off the body case 1.

Next, the refill 2 will be described.

The refill 2 is configured such that the transfer head 22 is provided on the top of the refill main body 21. The refill main body 21 is accommodated in the body case 1 with the rear part passing through the opening part h. The refill 2 is an interchangeable component. The refill main body 21 part is located in the body case 1 by introducing and inserting the refill 2 into the body case 1 via the opening part h as an entrance after positioning the refill 2 in front of the body case 1. The refill 2 will be described in detail.

The refill main body 21 includes a refill base b integrally molded of resin, the feeding reel m and the winding reel n held by the refill base b, and an interlocking mechanism c to interlock rotation of the winding reel n with rotation of the feeding reel m accompanied by moving of the transfer tape p.

The refill base b has a positioning part b1 which is placed in the front side and is formed so as to be able to contact with the inner face near the opening part h of the case main body 11, an interlocking-mechanism holding part b2 having a plate shape to hold the interlocking mechanism c in a position which deviates from the axis j toward one side, a weight balancing part b3 placed in a position which deviates from the axis j toward the other side with respect to the interlocking-mechanism holding part b2, a rear part wall b4 which is provided behind the weight balancing part b3 and is formed into a discoid shape with an area approximately equal to the sectional area of the internal space in the body case 1 having the cylindrical shape, and the held part b5 which is placed in the backside and protrudes rearward from the central part coincident with the axis j, that is, from the approximately central part of the rear part wall b4. In addition, the refill base b has a guide part b6 to retain the track of the transfer tape p nearer to the transfer head 22 than the feeding reel m and the winding reel n.

The positioning part b1 is provided adjacent to the rear side of the transfer head 22 and has a rib-like shape formed so that the top end part thereof is able to contact with the inner periphery of the case main body 11. The positioning part b1 is to maintain a constant attitude of the refill 2 supported in the rotatable manner where the refill 2 can freely rotate by 360 degrees relative to the case main body 11.

The interlocking-mechanism holding part b2 is constituted mainly with the plate shape portion deviating rightward from the axis j in a planar view to support the rotatable interlocking mechanism c in a state where a pressing face 221 a of the transfer roll 221 is set to be parallel to the transfer target surface S being horizontal. The interlocking-mechanism holding part b2 has fixed shafts b21, b22 and b23. The first fixed shaft b21, the second fixed shaft b22 and the third fixed shaft b23 support a feeding gear c1, an intermediate gear c2 and a winding gear 3, respectively in a rotatable manner. The feeding gear c1, the intermediate gear c2 being engaged with the feeding gear c1, and the winding gear c3 being engaged with the intermediate gear c2 constitute the interlocking mechanism c. A pawl b24 for preventing reverse rotation is provided in the rearward of the interlocking-mechanism holding part b2 so as to be engaged with the round gear n2 on the winding reel n and prevent the winding reel n from reversing.

The weight balancing part b3 is constituted with a part of the resin material gathered in the position which is opposite to the interlocking-mechanism holding part b2 with respect to the axis j, that is, in the region which deviates leftward from the axis j according to this embodiment so as to add weight to the region proactively. The weight balancing part b3 is composed of a plurality of plate members arranged like ribs. The weight balancing part b3 has a function of preventing the problem that the refill 2 supported inside the body case 1 in the rotatable manner is not stable at an expected attitude, namely, the attitude where the pressing face 221 a of the transfer roll 221 is parallel to the transfer target surface S being horizontal because of the interlocking-mechanism holding part b2 located in the position which deviates from the axis j toward the one side.

The held part b5 is a protuberance protruding rearward from the center part of the rear part wall b4 which is provided on the rear end of the refill base b and is formed into the discoid shape. In this embodiment, the held part b5 is formed of a shaft member to function as a pivot. The top end part of the held part b5 is swollen more than the bottom end part thereof. Specifically, the held part b5 has a swollen part b51 on the top end side, and a narrow part b52 formed such that the shaft diameter of the narrow part b52 is set smaller than the shaft diameter of the swollen part b51 on the bottom end side.

The guide part b6 is able to restrain the transfer tape p from shifting relatively with the transfer roll 221 in the right and left direction while transferring operation. In this embodiment, the guide part b6 is formed of a recessed part with a width corresponding to the width of the transfer tape p.

The feeding reel m supports the transfer tape p wound around the feeding reel m. The feeding reel m is placed in front of the winding reel n. A center hole m1 to be engaged with a shaft part c11 of the feeding gear c1 being a component of the interlocking mechanism c is provided in the center of the feeding reel m.

The winding reel m winds up the transfer tape p which is fed from the feeding reel m and passes on the transfer head 22. A shaft hole n1 to be engaged with the third fixed shaft b23 in the rotatable manner is formed in the center of the winding reel n. Also, the round gear n2 is provided on the side closer to the refill base b of the winding reel n. The round gear n2 is engaged with the pawl b24 for preventing reverse rotation which is provided in the rearward of the interlocking-mechanism holding part b2.

The transfer tape p is a usual one configured such that the glue g being the adhesive is applied to one side of a film-like base material. The interlocking mechanism c contains the feeding gear c1 rotating together with the feeding reel m, and the winding gear c3 rotating together with the winding reel n. More specifically, the interlocking mechanism c has the feeding gear c1 which is supported by the first fixed shaft b21 in the rotatable manner and is provided with the shaft part c11 to be fitted in the center hole m1 of the feeding reel m, a slip mechanism c4 provided between the center hole m1 of the feeding reel m and the shaft part c11 of the feeding gear c1 to permit the feeding reel m rotating relatively with the feeding gear c1 when torque above a certain level is applied to, the intermediate gear c2 which is supported by the second fixed shaft b22 in the rotatable manner and is engaged with the feeding gear c1, and the winding gear c3 provided on the side end of the winding reel n which is engaged with the intermediate gear c2. The winding gear c3 is integrally formed with the winding reel n.

The transfer head 22 has the transfer roll 221 as the transfer end to press the transfer tape p against the transfer target surface S, right and left support parts 222 formed into a plate shape to support both sides of the transfer roll 221 in a rotatable manner, and cover walls 223 extended in lateral directions from bottom ends of the right and left support parts 222 to cover the internal space of the body case 1 from the outside. The right and left support parts 222 and the cover walls 223 are integrally formed with the refill base b and molded of resin. The transfer head 22 and the refill main body 21 unitedly rotate.

The transfer roll 221 is held in the state of deviating from the axis j in the direction opposite to the direction of movement during transfer. Here, “the direction opposite to the direction of movement during transfer” means the direction opposite to the moving direction of the transfer tool T while the glue g or other transfer substance is transferred. In other words, the transfer roll 221 is provided so as to be able to press the transfer tape p against the transfer target surface S at a position behind the virtual intersection point at which the axis j of the body case 1 intersects with the transfer target surface S while the operation of moving in the direction of movement during transfer is executed.

The right and left support parts 222 have the plate shape, the vicinities of the top ends of the support parts 222 support the transfer roll 221 in the rotatable manner. The right and left support parts 222 are formed so that the transfer roll 221 is capable of pressing transfer tape p against the transfer target surface S when the axis j of the body case 1 is perpendicular to the transfer target surface S or is inclined toward the direction of movement during transfer. Specifically, the right and left support parts 222 contain edge parts 222 a and 222 b near the transfer roll 221, the first edge parts 222 a are end edges facing the transfer target surface S, the second edge parts 222 b are end edges turned away from the transfer target surface S. The pressing face 221 a of the transfer head 221 is set to be more outer than the first edge parts 222 a in a side view, and besides the pressing face 221 a of the transfer head 221 is set to be more inner than the second edge parts 222 b in the side view. In other words, the first edge parts 222 a constitute a transfer permitting portion to permit the transfer roll 221 pressing the transfer tape p against the transfer target surface S, and besides the second edge parts 222 b constitute a transfer inhibiting portion to inhibit the transfer roll 221 from pressing the transfer tape p against the transfer target surface S.

The cover walls 223 are disposed on the right and left, each of the cover walls 223 has a plate shape with an outer edge formed into an arc corresponding to the shape of the opening part h in the body case 1.

Then, the refill holding mechanism 3 will be described.

The refill holding mechanism 3 has possible states including the hold state (H) where the refill 2 is held in the freely rotatable manner inside the body case 1 and the release state (R) where it is allowed for the refill 2 to be removed from the body case 1. In other words, the refill holding mechanism 3 holds the rotatable and detachable refill 2 with respect to the body case 1.

According to the embodiment, the refill holding mechanism 3 contains the protruding held part b5 formed on the refill 2, the holding part k22 formed on the one side end part of the body case 1 or the rear wall 12 to hold the held part e1 elastically, and the operation body e to push the held part e1 and detach it from the holding part k22. The operation body e functions to release the refill 2 from the hold state (H). Concretely attaching the refill 2 to the body case 1 and detaching the refill 2 from the body case 1 with the action of the refill holding mechanism 3 will be detailed later.

The cap 4 has a cylindrical part 41 formed into a cylinder with a dimension corresponding to the case main body 1, and a top wall 42 which is a circular plate provided on the top end of the cylindrical part 41. The cap 4 is integrally molded of resin. The cap 4 is attachable to and detachable from the body case 1. A case engagement part 411 to be engaged with the cap attachment part 111 of the body case 1 is provided on the inner periphery of the cylindrical part 41, a nonskid part 412 to prevent the user's fingers from slipping when attaching to or detaching from the case main body 11 is also provided on the outer periphery of the cylindrical part 41. The nonskid part 412 is composed of a plurality of rails or grooves extending along the circumferential direction.

Described below is a mode for attaching the refill 2 to the body case 1 and detaching it from the body case 1 in the transfer tool T according to the present embodiment.

The mode for attaching the refill 2 to the body case 1 will be described first.

The refill main body 21 is inserted into the body case 1 which is formed into the bottomed cylindrical shape having the opening part h on the top thereof with the bottom side of the refill 2 passing through the opening part h. After the held part b5 provided on the rear end of the refill main body 21 inserted into the body case 1 arrives at the rear wall 12, the held part b5 is engaged with the holding part k22 formed in the rear wall 12 and is elastically held by the holding part k22. Thereby the refill holding mechanism 3 transits from the release state (R) to the hold state (H). The holding part k22 is configured so as to facilitate elastic deformation in the direction orthogonal to the axis of the held part b5 by forming the slits s1. Hence, when the refill 2 is inserted to a certain position, the held part b5 pushes and elastically deforms the holding part k22, the holding part k22 enfolds and supports the swollen part b51 of the held part b5. In this situation, the protruding part k22 a of the holding part k22 adjoins the narrow part b52 of the held part b5 and prevents the held part b5 from coming off.

Since the swollen part b51 of the held part b5 is encircled with the holding part k22, the refill 2 having the transfer head 22 is supported so that the refill 2 is able to freely rotate by 360 degrees inside the body case 1 and is prevented from falling off the body case 1. That is, the holding part k22 becomes a bearing supporting the held part b5 as the shaft member. The positioning part b1 on the refill base b restrains the refill 2 from shifting in the direction orthogonal to the axis j inside the body case 1. Therefore the refill 2 is supported in approximately the same attitude as the axis j of the body case 1 as well as the refill 2 is rotatably supported while the refill holding mechanism 3 described above collaborates with the positioning part b1 of the refill main body 21.

The mode for detaching the refill 2 from the body case 1 will be described subsequently.

In order to remove the refill 2 held in the body case 1 from the body case 1, the operation body e provided on the rear wall 12 of the body case 1 is pushed. That is, the refill 2 is disengaged from the body case 1 and the refill holding mechanism 3 transits from the hold state (H) to the release state (R) by pushing out the refill 2 forward with operation force applied to the operation body e mounted on the rear part of the body case 1 in diverse ways.

More specifically, the push portion e1 of the operation body e is pressed toward the internal side of the body case 1 with a fingertip or a tool like a stick. Due to pressing the operation body e, the projection e2 of the operation body e is brought into close contact with the top of the held part b5 and push out the held part b5 forward, the holding part k22 is consequently disengaged from the held part b5. When the held part b5 is pushed out forward, the holding part k22 formed into the approximately tubal shape is elastically deformed so as to be enlarged in diameter temporarily. In other words, the projected pieces k221 which constitute the holding part k22 are elastically deformed and shoved outward temporarily by the swollen part b51. At the same time, the engagement of the protruding part k22 a on the holding part k22 with disengaged from the narrow part b52 in the held part b5 which functions to prevent coming off is released with the operation force applied to the operation body e.

The refill 2 disengaged from the holding part k22 in the body case 1 is removed from the body case 1 as soon as the refill main body 21 inserted in the body case 1 is brought out of the body case 1 via the opening part h provided on the top of the body case 1. Thereby the body case 1 comes to be able to receive another refill 2 having the same structure. Here, the projection e2 of the operation body e is elastically held instead of the held part b5 in the refill 2 by the holding part k22 in the body case 1 and waits in the press position (P) until the refill 2 is loaded again.

As described above, the transfer tool T according to the embodiment includes the body case 1 as the grip member which is able to be gripped so that its axis j is perpendicular to the transfer target surface S or is inclined toward the direction of movement during transfer, the refill main body 21 as the rotor which is held in the body case 1 and is able to rotate around the axis j, and the transfer head 22 which is held on the refill main body 21 in the state where the transfer roll 221 as the transfer end deviates from the axis j in the direction opposite to the direction of movement during transfer, the transfer head 22 can flexibly track the transfer target surface S and apply the glue g to the transfer target surface S suitably.

That is, since the refill main body 21 and the transfer head 22 are rotatable about the axis j relatively with the body case 1 and besides the transfer roll 221 is set to deviate from the axis j in the direction opposite to the direction of movement during transfer, the transfer head 22 rotates about the axis j according to movement for transferring the glue g, for example, even the movement in which the glue g provided on the transfer tape p is transferred to the transfer target surface S such that a curved line is drawn, the transfer tool T is able to ideally transfer the glue g to the transfer target surface S. Hence, the transfer tool T can give a natural feeling of use to the user.

The refill 2 is able to rotate by 360 degrees relatively with the body case 1, the transfer head 22 is able to rotate about the axis j in response to various movements for applying, therefore the transfer tool T according to the embodiment can give a comfortable feeling of use to the user. Moreover, the transfer roll 221 of the transfer head 22 is automatically adjusted so that the transfer roll 221 becomes parallel to the transfer target surface S by pressing the transfer head 22 against the transfer target surface S when starting transfer of the glue g to the transfer target surface S, the transfer tool T can preferably transfer the glue g to the transfer target surface S.

Since the body case 1 is formed into the cylindrical shape and besides the interchangeable refill main body 21 is accommodated in the body case 1, the transfer tool T exhibits a unique appearance and makes a simple outward form which is easy to grip by the user when in use.

The body case 1 is integrally molded of resin into the bottomed cylindrical shape with excellent strength. In particular, the body case 1 has the bottom wall k2 to stably support a load which stems from pressing the refill 2 against the transfer target surface S during the transferring operation.

Since the he refill main body 21 has the refill base b, the feeding reel m and the winding reel n which are held on the refill base b, and the interlocking mechanism c to interlock the rotation of the winding reel n with the rotation of the feeding reel m accompanied by moving of the transfer tape p, necessary structure for transferring the glue g is unitized in the refill 2 with excellent handleability.

Since the refill base b has the interlocking-mechanism holding part b2 to hold the interlocking mechanism c in the position which deviates from the axis j toward one side, and the weight balancing part b3 placed in the position which deviates from the axis j toward the other side with respect to the interlocking-mechanism holding part b2, the refill 2 supported in the freely rotatable manner inside the body case 1 is held in good balance at an expected attitude.

The transfer tool T further has the refill holding mechanism 3 which is able to be selectably in the hold state (H) where the refill 2 is held in the freely rotatable manner inside the body case 1 and the release state (R) where it is allowed for the refill 2 to be removed from the body case 1, the refill holding mechanism 3 has the held part b5 which is formed protruding on the refill 2 and the holding part k22 which is formed on one side end part of the body case 1 to hold the held part b5 elastically. Hence, the configuration in which the rotatable and detachable refill 2 is held inside the body case 1 having the cylindrical shape is preferably provided.

The refill holding mechanism 3 has the operation body e to obtain a release from the hold state (H), the operation to detach the refill 2 from the body case 1 can be executed with the operation body e.

The transfer head 22 has the transfer roll 221 as the transfer end to press the transfer tape p against the transfer target surface S and the right and left supporting parts 222 to support both sides of the transfer roll 221, the right and left supporting parts 222 are formed such that the transfer roll 221 is able to press the transfer tape p against the transfer target surface S when the axis j of the body case 1 is perpendicular to the transfer target surface S or is inclined toward the direction of movement during transfer. Hence, the transfer tool T gets the user execute the transferring operation in which the transfer head 22 supported in the rotatable manner inside the body case 1 assumes a proper attitude, namely, the attitude at which the transfer roll 221 deviates from the axis j in the direction opposite to the direction of movement during transfer. In other words, the transfer tape p does not come into contact with the transfer target surface S so that the transferring operation cannot be executed when the transfer roll 221 deviates from the axis j in the direction of movement during transfer. Thus, the problem that the transfer tape p travels in reverse is suitably prevented from occurring.

Since the transfer roll 221 supported in the rotatable manner by the right and left support parts 222 is employed as the transfer end, the movement for transferring the glue g provided on the transfer tape p becomes smooth.

Also, the transfer tool T according to the embodiment includes the body case 1 which has the opening part h on the top thereof, the refill 2 which is constituted such that the transfer head 22 is provided on the top of the refill main body 21 and is accommodated in the body case 1 as the refill main body 21 passes through the opening part h, and the refill holding mechanism 3 to hold the refill 2 such that the refill 2 is detachable from the body case 1. The transfer tool T can prevent the body case 1 from interfering with the transfer tape p which is supported by the transfer head 22 and is exposed outside when attaching the refill 2 to the inside of the body case 1 or detaching the refill 2 from the inside of the body case 1. That is, the transfer tool T can prevent the glue g exposed on the outer face of the refill 2 from adhering to the inner face of the body case 1.

Conventionally, transfer tools including a body case and a refill with a refill main body, which is held in the body case, having a transfer head on the top of the refill main body are known. With respect to those, one method that inserts the refill via an opening part formed on the rear side of the body case, another method that uses the body case having a half-cut structure to wrap the refill between half parts, and so on are applicable in order to attach the refill to the body case (See Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 2000-190866, for example). However, there are cases where a transfer substance such an adhesive exposed on the outer face of the refill adheres to the inner face of the body case erroneously in such ones when attaching the refill to the inside of the body case or detaching the refill from the inside of the body case. In addition, it is necessary that the refill be mounted according to the structure of the body case as described above carefully not to stick the transfer substance on the inner face of the body case while interchanging the refill, therefore requisite labor and attentiveness are required for the interchanging operation. The transfer tool T in the present embodiment is able to prevent the transfer substance exposed on the outer face of the refill 2 from adhering to the inner face of the body case 1 while attaching the refill 2 to the inside of the body case 1 and detaching the refill 2 from the inside of the body case 1. And, the transfer tool T which is capable of contributing to improvement of workability for interchanging the refill 2 can be provided.

Moreover, it is unnecessary that the refill 2 pass through the rear side of the body case 1 so as to attach the refill 2, flexibility in the design to enhance the strength of the rear side of the body case 1 is improved.

The body case 1 is integrally molded of resin into the bottomed cylindrical shape with excellent strength. In particular, the body case 1 has the bottom wall k2 to stably support a load which stems from pressing the refill 2 against the transfer target surface S during the transferring operation.

Since the refill 2 is interchanged through the top side of the body case 1, an operation route along which the refill 2 passes when the refill 2 is detached from the body case 1 and an operation route along which the refill 2 passes when the refill 2 is attached to the body case 1 can be easy to understand for the user. In other words, the transfer tool T according to the embodiment contributes to improvement of workability for interchanging the refill 2.

The body case 1 is formed into the bottomed cylindrical shape having the rear wall 12 on the bottom side thereof, the refill holding mechanism 3 can be in the hold state (H) where the refill 2 is held in the freely rotatable manner inside the body case 1 and the release state (R) where it is allowed for the refill 2 to be removed from the body case 1 in a selectable manner. The rotatable and detachable refill 2 is able to be held inside the body case 1 having the bottomed cylindrical shape using the refill holding mechanism 3. Hence, the transfer head 22 on the refill 2 supported by the body case 1 can rotate relatively with the body case 1 and can be induced to assume a suitable attitude with respect to the transfer target surface S.

Since the he refill main body 1 has the refill base b, the feeding reel m and the winding reel n which are held on the refill base b, and the interlocking mechanism c to interlock the rotation of the winding reel n with the rotation of the feeding reel m accompanied by moving of the transfer tape p, necessary structure for transferring the glue g is unitized in the refill 2 with excellent handleability.

The body case 1 is formed into the bottomed cylindrical shape having the rear wall 12 on the bottom side thereof, the refill holding mechanism 3 has the held part b5 which is formed protruding on the refill 2 and the holding part k22 which is formed on the rear wall 12 to hold the held part b5 elastically. Hence, the rear wall 12 having the holding part k22 in the body case 1 is able to receive the load which stems from the transferring operation and is applied to the refill 2 having the held part b5, and the body case 1 can stably support the refill 2 receiving a constant stress which stems from the transferring operation. On top of that, since the held part b5 is the protruding shaft member to function as the pivot and is elastically supported by the holding part k22, it becomes easy to fabricate the structure in which the body case 1 supports the refill 2 in the rotatable manner and the refill 2 is detachable from the body case 1.

The refill holding mechanism 3 includes the operation body e to press the held part b5 so as to disengage it from the holding part k22, the refill 2 can be removed from the body case 1 due to operating the operation body e.

Since the operation body e has the push portion e1 partly exposed out of the part of the rear wall 12 in the rear view to receive the pressing operation force from the outside, the refill 2 is able to be taken out forward from the body case 1 by pushing the rear wall 12 side, and an intelligible unloading of the refill 2 can be provided for the user. Moreover, since the push portion e1 to remove the refill 2 is partly exposed out of the part of the rear wall 12, flexibility in the design to limit access to the push portion e1 by the user is improved, and unnecessary operation to remove the refill 2 can be prevented.

In addition, the push portion e1 stays in the recess part k formed on the rear wall 12 according to the embodiment, the access to the push portion e1 by the user is limited, and the unnecessary operation to remove the refill 2 can be prevented.

The transfer tool T has the cap 4 detachable from the body case 1 to close the opening part h, and the cap 4 is able to be gotten away from the neighborhood of transfer head 22 while the transferring operation.

Since the rotatable transfer roll 221 is supported in the state where the transfer roll 221 deviates from the axis j in the direction opposite to the direction of movement during transfer by the inside of the body case 1, the transfer head 22 is able to track the transfer target surface S flexibly and apply the glue g on the transfer target surface S suitably.

Since the body case 1 is formed into the cylindrical shape and besides the interchangeable refill main body 21 is accommodated in the body case 1, the transfer tool T exhibits the unique appearance and makes the simple outward form which is easy to grip by the user when in use.

The refill base b has the interlocking-mechanism holding part b2 to hold the interlocking mechanism c in the position which deviates from the axis j toward one side, and the weight balancing part b3 placed in the position which deviates from the axis j toward the other side with respect to the interlocking-mechanism holding part b2. Hence, the refill 2 supported in the freely rotatable manner inside the body case 1 is held in good balance at an expected attitude.

It should be noted that the present invention is not limited to the embodiment described in detail as above.

Any transfer tool to transfer a transfer substance to a transfer target object is possible, in other words, the transfer substance is not limited to the glue described in the present embodiment or other adhesives. The transfer substance may be a whiteout for covering up (in a correction tape) or a decorate agent for decorating (in a decoration tape). The transfer tool does not always use a transfer tape, and the transfer tool may apply an adhesive or ink via a transfer roller, for example.

The grip member is not limited to the body case described in the present embodiment. That is, any grip member which is able to be gripped by a user is possible, various shapes of the grip member are employable. For example, the grip member may be formed into a ring shape or a toroidal shape which is able to support a refill or other rotors in a rotatable manner. Otherwise, the grip member may have a shaft to be inserted into a shaft hole formed in the center of a rotor and a portion to support the shaft and be gripped by the user so as to hold the rotor.

The rotor is not limited to the refill main body described in the present embodiment. That is, any rotor which is able to be held by a grip member and be rotatable about the axis is possible, various structures of the rotor are employable. For example, the rotor may be a small member to hold the base end of a transfer head. The rotor may be a member having a built-in refill with a transfer head to rotate relatively with a grip member. Otherwise, the rotor may be a member holding a transfer head to rotate relatively with a grip member.

The transfer end is not limited to the one described in the present embodiment, any transfer end functioning to press a transfer tape against a transfer target surface is possible. As an example of the transfer end, a placoid member with a plate face to press a transfer tape against a transfer target surface can be cited.

The refill holding mechanism is not limited to the one described in the present embodiment, any refill holding mechanism which is able to be selectably in a hold state where a refill is held in a freely rotatable manner inside a body case and a release state where it is allowed for the refill to be removed from the body case is possible. For example, a annular convex or a plurality of projections arranged in a circular line may be provided on the rear end of the refill, and besides an annular groove into which the annular convex or the projections is/are fit may be provided on the body case. Otherwise, a rotary shaft provided on the refill may be supported in a rotatable manner with a projection which projects inward from the inner face of the body case, for example. A concave part which extends along the circumferential direction and is provided on one of the inner face of the body case and the outer face of the refill may be engaged with a convex part which extends along the circumferential direction and is provided on the other so as to support the refill in a rotatable manner inside the body case.

Furthermore, the refill holding mechanism may be configured such that a held part being a projection is provided in a center area of a rear wall of a body case and a holding part being an approximate tube or recess to be engaged with the projecting held part is provided on the rear end of the refill. However, the one described in the above embodiment is configured such that the projecting held part provided in the center area on the rear end of the refill so as to be able to detach the refill from the body case by pressing the held part, and weight contributing to removing the refill can be effectively imparted in good balance.

The refill holding mechanism does not always have a operation body to obtain a release from the hold state. The refill holding mechanism may hold a part of a refill and directly apply an operation force for a release from the hold state.

The operation body is not limited to the one which presses the held part described in the present embodiment, any operation body to obtain a release from the hold state of the refill is possible. For example, the operation body may press a rear part wall of a refill, or the operation body may apply an operation force toward a direction capable of obtaining a release from the hold state to a portion in a middle part in the longitudinal direction of the refill.

A cap holding part to hold a cap removed from the top side of a body case when in use may be provided on the rear side of a body case. As an example of the cap holding part, a recess which is provided on the rear part of a case main body of the body case and hollows inward to be fit into the inner periphery on a verge of an opening in the cap can be cited.

The shape of the body case is not limited to a bottomed cylinder, the body case may be formed into a square tube.

Regarding to the concrete structures of the respective components, various modifications are possible without departing from the scope and spirit of this invention.

DESCRIPTION OF THE REFERENCE NUMERAL

-   1 body case (grip member) -   2 refill -   3 refill holding mechanism -   21 refill main body (rotor) -   22 transfer head -   221 transfer roll (transfer end) -   j axis -   m feeding reel -   n winding reel -   p transfer tape -   S transfer target surface -   T transfer tool 

1. A transfer tool comprising: a grip member which is able to be gripped so that its axis is perpendicular to a transfer target surface or is inclined toward a direction of movement during transfer; a rotor which is held in the grip member and is able to rotate around the axis; and a transfer head which is held on the rotor in a state where a transfer end deviates from the axis in a direction opposite to the direction of movement during transfer.
 2. The transfer tool according to claim 1, wherein the grip member comprises a body case which is formed into a cylindrical shape, the rotor comprises a refill main body which has a feeding reel to feed a transfer tape to the transfer head and a winding reel to wind up the transfer tape through the transfer head, the refill main body and the transfer head constitute an interchangeable refill which is accommodated in the body case.
 3. The transfer tool according to claim 2, wherein the refill main body has a refill base, the feeding reel and the winding reel which are held on the refill base, and an interlocking mechanism to interlock rotation of the winding reel with rotation of the feeding reel accompanied by moving of the transfer tape.
 4. The transfer tool according to claim 3, wherein the refill base has an interlocking-mechanism holding part to hold the interlocking mechanism in a position which deviates from the axis toward one side, and a weight balancing part placed in a position which deviates from the axis toward the other side with respect to the interlocking-mechanism holding part.
 5. The transfer tool according to claim 2, further comprising a refill holding mechanism which is able to be selectably in a hold state where the refill is held in a freely rotatable manner inside the body case, and a release state where it is allowed for the refill to be removed from the body case.
 6. The transfer tool according to claim 5, wherein the refill holding mechanism has a held part which is formed protruding on the refill, and a holding part which is formed on one side end part of the body case to hold the held part elastically.
 7. The transfer tool according to claim 5, wherein the refill holding mechanism has an operation body to obtain a release from the hold state.
 8. The transfer tool according to claim 1, wherein the transfer head has the transfer end to press a transfer tape against the transfer target surface, and a bilateral supporting part to support both sides of the transfer end, the bilateral supporting part is formed such that the transfer end is able to press the transfer tape against the transfer target surface when the axis of the grip member is perpendicular to the transfer target surface or is inclined toward the direction of movement during transfer.
 9. The transfer tool according to claim 8, wherein the transfer end comprises a transfer roll which is supported by the bilateral supporting part in a rotatable manner.
 10. The transfer tool according to claim 1, wherein the grip member comprises a body case having an opening part on a top thereof, the transfer tool comprises a refill constituted such that the transfer head is provided on a top of a refill main body being the rotor and the refill main body is accommodated in the body case through the opening part, and a refill holding mechanism to hold the refill detachably inside the body case. 